Animal care and veterinary staff at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park today euthanized Garnet, a male mountain lion, who had been suffering from age related illnesses and diabetes.

Mountain lions have a lifespan of 8-12 years in the wild; Garnet survived to be 18. According to Michelle Schireman, AZA Felid TAG Puma SSP Coordinator, Garnet appeared to be the oldest living mountain lion in the country.

Garnet arrived at the zoo in 1993 having been confiscated by the Department of Environmental Conservation as an illegally held pet. Then Zoo Director, Don Moore, hand-raised Garnet. During his early years, he was well known for making appearances at local schools in outreach programs. A favorite among zoo staff and visitors, Garnet was well-known for interacting with guests and served as an ambassador for his wild counterparts for many years.

Mountain lions are found throughout the United States, Southern Canada, Central and South America. They go by many names including cougars, catamounts, puma, mountain cat or panthers.